Indian Railways WCAM class
WCAM (W -broad gauge ; CA -Both DC and AC ; M -for both goods and passenger service) was the dual-power AC/DC series locomotive used by Indian Railways. These locomotives could run under both DC traction and AC traction. All the WCAM locos except the WCAM 1 (made by CLW) were made by BHEL. They had 750 V DC traction motors, using resistance banks in DC mode and a variable ratio auto-transformer with rectifier units in AC mode, for power control.
The WCAM class locomotives were in service only in the Mumbai region. The dual-voltage WCAM series locomotives hauled intercity trains out of Mumbai DC suburban region which was on a 1500 V DC overhead system, as opposed to remaining India which have 25000 V AC overhead.
Mumbai suburban region has completely switched over to 25000 V AC by 2016 and so the WCAM locomotives are no longer required . Now pure AC locomotives can run in this region . However WCAM locomotives continued to be used in AC traction.
Types
There were four types of Locomotives under WCAM class:
- Mixed type locomotives
- Goods locomotives
- WCAG 1
Technical specifications
Comparative specifications of different type of WCAM
Class | WCAM–1 | WCAM–2/2P | WCAM 3 | WCAG–1 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Year | 1975-79 | 1995-96 | 1997+ | 1999–2000 |
Maker | CLW | BHEL | BHEL | BHEL |
Traction Motors | Alstom/CLW TAO 659 A1 (575 kW, 750 V). Axle-hung, nose-suspended | TAO 659 (575 kW, 750 V). Axle-hung, nose-suspended, force-ventilated | Hitachi HS15250A. Axle-hung, nose-suspended, force-ventilated | Hitachi HS15250A. Axle-hung, nose-suspended, force-ventilated. |
Transformer | HEL BOT 34600. 3460kVA | BHEL 5400 kVA | BHEL 5400 kVA. 32 taps | BHEL 5400 kVA. 32 taps |
Power(hp) | 3850 AC (1 hr)2930 DC / 3640 AC cont.) | 3780? DC / 4720 AC cont.4950 starting | 4600 (4700?) DC / 5000 AC | 4600 DC / 5000 AC cont. |
Rectifiers | Silicon rectifiers, 48 cells (321 UFR200) per bridge, 1000 A /1270 V | Two silicon rectifier units D1800N44 (Siemens), 16 cells per bridge. 1000 V / 3600 A | Two silicon rectifier units D1800N44 (Siemens), 16 cells per bridge. 1000 V / 3600 A. | Two silicon rectifier units D1800N44 (Siemens), 16 cells per bridge. 1000 V / 3600 A. |
Speed(kmph) | 80-100 DC / 120 AC | 105 DC / 120 AC | 105 | 100 |
Weight(tonnes) | 113 | 113 | 113 | 128 |
Quantity | 53 | 20 | 53 | 12+ |
Serial nos | 21800-852 | 21861-880 | 21881-900 /21931-963 | 21971+ |
Loco sheds holding WCAM engines
The only sheds holding WCAM engines were Kalyan Loco Shed and Valsad Loco Shed.
See also
References
Notes
Bibliography
- Hughes, Hugh (1996). Indian Locomotives: Part 4 – 1941–1990. Harrow, Middlesex: The Continental Railway Circle. ISBN 0-9521655-1-1.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Indian locomotive class WCAM-3. |